Source: The Hindu (FAQ) | p.13 | Tags: 23 June 2026, GS3, Index of Eight Core Industries, Index of Industrial Production (IIP), Indian Economy, Industrial Growth
Context: India Core Sector Growth May 2026
India’s Eight Core Industries growth slowed to 0.5% in May 2026, the second-lowest in 21 months. Five of the eight sectors contracted, led by Coal and Refinery Products, reflecting weakness in energy-related sectors.
Key Data
Core Sector Growth
- May 2026: 0.5%
- Second-lowest in 21 months
Sectors Contracted
Five out of eight sectors contracted.
Major contraction:
- Coal: -9.3%
- Refinery Products: -8.7%
Index of Industrial Production
IIP measures overall industrial output in:
- Mining
- Manufacturing
- Electricity
Released By
- National Statistics Office
- Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation
Base Year
- 2022–23
Eight Core Industries in IIP
Eight Core Industries together account for 40.27% of IIP.
Index of Eight Core Industries
It measures output of eight core sectors.
Released By
- Office of Economic Adviser
- Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade
- Ministry of Commerce and Industry
Base Year
- 2011–12
Eight Core Industries
- Refinery Products
- Electricity
- Steel
- Coal
- Crude Oil
- Natural Gas
- Cement
- Fertilisers
Weights: Highest to Lowest
- Refinery Products — 28.04%
- Electricity — 19.85%
- Steel — 17.92%
- Coal — 10.33%
- Crude Oil — 8.98%
- Natural Gas — 6.88%
- Cement — 5.37%
- Fertilisers — 2.63%
PYQ Link
Among the Eight Core Industries, Refinery Products carry the highest weight.
Textiles are not part of the Eight Core Industries.
Significance
Core sector growth matters because it indicates:
- Industrial momentum
- Infrastructure demand
- Energy-sector performance
- Manufacturing activity
- Investment cycle
- Future IIP trend
